With Armenia behind him, Stephen now approaches the border crossing into Iran—his next destination on this epic adventure. Feeling confident that the process will be smooth, he arrives at the border. However, the timing works against him as he encounters a shift change among the guards, resulting in nearly two hours of processing time—one of the longest delays he’s faced so far. Despite this, everything goes smoothly, and Stephen is officially welcomed into Iran.
With the formalities behind him, Stephen sets out on the Iranian roads, heading first to Julfa and then on to Tabriz. The scenic beauty of Iran’s natural landscape accompanies him along the way, but as he nears the busier roads of Julfa, he quickly notices a change in driving conditions. The traffic is denser, and road laws seem to be more “optional” than enforced. Drivers rarely use indicators, and unpredictable movements from other vehicles make it a nerve-wracking experience for Stephen on his motorbike.
His nerves are put to the test in Tabriz, where a minor accident occurs while he’s overtaking a car on a narrow, busy road. One of his side bags catches the car’s headlight, dislodging it as he rides past. Bracing for an angry response, Stephen is pleasantly surprised by the driver’s calm reaction. Instead of confrontation, the driver casually reattaches his headlight and warmly wishes Stephen a good day—a stark contrast to how this situation might have played out back in Malta.
Later, as Stephen searches for his hotel, he struggles to find it but is quickly aided by two local bikers. Their kindness leaves a lasting impression, adding to Stephen’s growing appreciation for the hospitality of the Iranian people. His time in Tabriz is marked by warmth, generosity, and the friendliness of locals, making it difficult for him to leave. But leave he must. His next destination is Qazvin, and the road calls once again.
Upon arriving in Qazvin, Stephen meets two young locals, Maisam and Asti, who welcome him like an old friend. Together, they explore the city in the evening, sharing stories and experiences. This encounter further solidifies his admiration for the Iranian spirit of hospitality and reminds him why this adventure is so special.
Join Stephen’s journey again next week to see what experiences lay ahead in this epic journey! New episodes of Dinja Mutur will be airing on ONE every Thursday at 10:00pm, and if you missed an episode, you can watch the episode on demand on one.com.mt, or on repeat:
– Saturday at 11:40am
– Sunday at 11:00pm
– Tuesday at 11:00am